Best Kids Attractions in New Jersey

Turtleback Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange
(973) 731-5800
Recently celebrating its 30th birthday, the Turtleback Zoo, houses 500 animals of 200 different species. Focusing on New Jersey wildlife, the collection includes cougars, bison, eagles, and wolves, all of which were originally found in the state. Other animals include elk, llamas, white-tailed deer, otters, owls, sea lions, and others, as well as domestic animals that kids can feed. Attractions like a pony ride and train ride add to the fun and excitement of visiting the animals. A number of special events take place here throughout the year, with activities and exhibits for everyone.

Sterling Hill Mining Museum
30 Plant Street
Ogdensburg, NJ
973-209-7212
Take a 1,300-ft underground walking tour through the mine and see passages with the equipment used while the mine was in operation, plus exhibits on the mining process. Visitors will see the lamp room, the shaft station, mine galleries dating to the 1830's. Also see the Rock Discovery Center, the Fossil Discovery Center, fluorescent minerals, fossils, gemstones, carvings, and everyday objects, and more.

They also offer offer educational group tours for school classes, scout groups, summer camps, vacation tour groups, etc. Not recommended for kids under 6.

Velocity 17
87 Route 17 North
Maywood, NJ 07607
201-994-1200 Ext. 210
You whiz around the 2,000 foot racetrack, attaining speeds up to 30 mph. With your bottom only 2 inches off the ground, it feels like you are doing 80 mph as you negotiate hairpin turns, banked corners and chicanes. At the end of the race you feel exhilarated, but exhausted. The nearly 2 mile gauntlet is over. You want to get right back behind the wheel and go at it again. Welcome to Velocity 17. An electronic leader board allows your fans to track your position and lap times, while a computer printout provided to you at the end of the race let’s you brag over your results with fellow racers.

Great for kids birthday parties. V-17 can offer an exciting and educational experience that will stay with them long after the party is over.

Jersey Shore Pirates
Riverfront Marina
Princeton Avenue (next to Windward Beach Park)
Brick NJ
(732) 899-6100
Your mini mates will have the opportunity to dress-up like pirates, get face painted with pirate “tattoos”, and learn some pirate lingo before setting sail for an an hour and fifteen minute pirate adventure. They will learn the rules of the Sea Gypsy pirate ship, read a treasure map, discover a secret message in a bottle, and work as a team to defeat the enemy pirate who has stolen the keys to their treasure. Prepare to man the water cannons to win back the keys from nemesis Pirate Pete!
They offer kids birthday partys for with favors, skulldana's, eye patches, loot bags and swords will for up to 42 friends and family,

Funnel
3320-24 Route 38
Mount Laurel
(856)-273-9666
25 acre outdoor and indoor family entertainment center, open year round. Attractions include, Foam Frenzy, Go-kart, Mini Golf, Laser Tag, Free Fall, Bumper Boats, Ferris Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Motion Simulator, Batting Cages, Driving Range and an Arcade. They also have a cafe and host kids parties, and group outings

Best Kids Attractions - Southern New Jersey

Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
62 Battleship Place
Camden, NJ
866-877-6262
A great attraction for kids 6+. Spend a night on the legendary Battleship New Jersey's overnight encampment program. They can accommodate groups and families of all sizes up to 300. Stow your gear in a locker --the same lockers that held sailor's personal belongings when at sea. Sleep in bunk--just like enlisted sailors."Chow down" in the Crew's Mess Hall and you can even purchase a personalized "Dog Tag"!

The NJ Adventure Aquarium
1 Aquarium Drive, Camden
856-365-3300
See Liberty the penguin. Marvel at the Sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, seals, birds and more. A wonderful day trip with the kids.

Cape May County Zoo
4 Moore Rd , Cape May Courthouse
(609) 465-5271
Over 430 different individual animals which covers around 250 different species. They have Lions and Tigers, but no Elephants. It’s FREE (they ask for a donation when you enter)

Check out these other Kids Sites

Best Kids Events - Many of the events featured here include the circus, ice shows, carnivals, educational experiences, plays, concerts, and other simply fun events by popular entertainers.

Best Kid Friendly Farms with fun and educational activities for kids. Including pick your own produce, farm animals, events, school trips, birthday parties, and summer camp farms for kids.

Top Kids Birthday Party Places - Our picks for the top New Jersey kids birthday party places and venues that includes a variety of programs for children of all ages and all interests with a variety of packages that can be customized to your needs.

Fun Kids Health Activities and Fitness Programs
in New Jersey Here you can find a Kids fitness program, exhibition, or activity can be brought into a school, a child's birthday party, or other group setting.

Unusual Attractions - This site is intended to provide information on the little known or offbeat places that are of interest to people with special interests, or for school teachers that are looking for a field trip to suppleent their children's education curriculum.

Kids Museums - Children's Museums in New Jersey run the gamut from hands-on interactive science programs, educational exhibits, learning through fun activities, and many other adventuresome activities that make the learning experience enjoyable for kids.

Kids Amusement & Theme Parks New Jersey is a mecca for kids Amusement Parks and Theme parks through the State. The Jersey Shore with it's boardwalk's and amusement piers provides an an ideal setting overlooking the ocean with its many food stand's that sell great hot dog's, Italian sandwiches, saltwater taffy, and ice cream. In addition to the amusement parks, NJ has many exciting theme parks include, water parks, wild west & pirate themes.